Indiana University’s men’s basketball team is celebrating a historic milestone by honoring the 50th anniversary of its last undefeated season with commemorative jersey patches. Meanwhile, the IU football team has achieved an impressive undefeated 11-0 record and stands on the brink of matching that extraordinary feat.
Football coach Curt Cignetti, often compared to legendary basketball coach Bob Knight, acknowledges the parallels between their coaching styles. “A lot of people around here (at Indiana), I get a lot of that, that you and coach Knight remind me of each other,” Cignetti shared in an interview with NBC Sports.
Cignetti, now 64, was a teenager when Knight’s basketball team went 32-0. Growing up in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, he followed Knight’s career with admiration. “I did like Bobby Knight,” Cignetti admitted. “The way he coached, his intensity, his presence, he said what was on his mind.”
Although Knight was a polarizing figure to some, his coaching legacy remains influential in Bloomington. Cignetti has embraced a more measured approach this season compared to a year ago when he was more outspoken. His goal is to build confidence in IU football after many years of struggles.
Currently, Cignetti holds a 79.2% winning percentage as a head coach, surpassing Knight’s 70.9%. However, unlike Knight, he has not yet secured a national title. Could this be the season IU football matches Knight’s historic achievement?
“I think what you’re asking is can we equal the achievement of the basketball team,” Cignetti said. “I guess we’re going to find out. We’ve gotta stack days.”
IU’s perfect football season has captured the attention of fans and analysts alike. The team’s performance fuels hope of marking a new chapter in Indiana sports history amid widespread recognition of their elite status.
As IU football strives for an unprecedented milestone, the legacy of Knight’s team continues to inspire the Hoosiers toward greatness in this landmark year.
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